GLOUCESTERSHIRE wrapped up their first County Championship win of the season today at the fifth attempt, thrashing Kent by 291 runs at the County Ground in Bristol.

After being set a notional 582 to win, Kent were bowled out for 291 despite the best efforts of Ben Harmison, whose 125 only delayed the inevitable, with Will Gidman and Matthew Taylor taking three wickets apiece to lift Gloucestershire off the bottom of Division Two.

Such a huge victory looked unlikely when Gloucestershire were reduced to 64-4 on the first day, but wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick scored 59 on his first Championship appearance of the season after recovering from a broken finger to help them reach 252.

Gidman also boosted the side on his return from injury and took an outstanding 4-14 in the first innings as Kent were blown away, eventually being bowled out for 114 after being 33-6 at one stage with James Fuller (4-32) doing much of the early damage.

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Gloucestershire then strengthened their grip on the game with the bat, Hamish Marshall scoring 118 and being backed up by half-centuries from Alex Gidman, Roderick (both 85) and Benny Howell, who smashed 63 off just 37 balls, before they declared on 443-6, Darren Stevens taking 5-87 for Kent.

Michael Klinger’s side are away to new bottom side Derbyshire in their next Championship game, starting on Sunday.

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